Hand-supported liquid dispensing pad



ug. 22, 1944. C', HARRls l' 2,356,722

HAND-SUPPORTED LIQUID DISPEN-SING PAD Filed April 9, 1943 Patented Aug. 22, 1944 UNITED NSTATES ENT ()FFICE HAND-SUPPORTED LIQUID DISPENSING PAD Carl C. Harris, Orange, Mass., assignor to Rivet-0 Manufacturing Co., Orange, Mass., a corporation oi Massachusetts Application April 9, 1943, Serial No. 482,459

(Ci. ill-54.4)

11 Claims;

in place without interfering with the free ma-- nipulation of the fingers in handling articles without transmitting liquid to the articles being handled.

I am aware that various moistening devices have been employed which are supported upon the palm of the hand or upon the end of a finger for use in moistening the fingers of the other hand for handling bank bills, papers, etc., or for moistening stamps and the like, but such devices are usually so constructed that in use the moistening liquid is likely to be inadvertently smeared upon the articles which are being handled.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an inking or moistening pad so constructed and worn as to avoid such objectionable features.

Another objects of the invention is to provide a liquid retaining and dispensing pad which may be readily detachably mounted upon the back of a iirst joint section of an intermediate finger of the hand and provided with means adapted iirmly to be engaged by adjacent fingers in such manner as to permit free manipulation of the ngers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid retaining and dispensing pad of the character described having legs adapted to rest upon a desk or other suitable support either more firmly to hold the pad in proper position while in use or to hold the pad upright when removed from the hand.

iAnother object of the invention is to provide an ink pad of the character described in which the ink dispensing surface of the pad is sufiiciently below the level of the surrounding wall as to prevent engagement of the ink dispensing surface with the desk or other support even if the device is tilted or overturned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a moistening pad of the character described in which the liquid dispensing surface projects above the surrounding wall to enable the adhesive surfaces oi stamps, envelope flaps, etc, to be readily applied to and moved across it or which can be more conveniently touched by the fingers of the other hand when used in manipulating bank notes or other papers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inking pad of the character described with means for releasably holding an inking stamp above and in proximity to the surface of the inking pad thereby avoiding the inconvenience of laying down and picking up the stamp between its times of use and also providing an` assemblage which will avoid the mislaying of the stamp or pad when not in use. y A Y These and other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawing and will be particularly pointed out in the claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing', in

which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view ofthe liquid retaining and dispensing device in the form of an inking pad when mounted upon the handr of the operator; v

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same illustrating means for supporting the pad and showing in dotted lines the positions lof the iinger's of the hand and a support upon which the ends of the supporting legs may rest;

Fig. 3 is a central transverse sectional view of the inking pad shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig, 4 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the inking device may be applied to the inside of a iingr upon the hand and retained thereon by adjacent iingers;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of a moistening pad embodying the invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the inking pad showing the means for supporting an inking stamp, the neck of the inking stamp being shown in horizontal section; j

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the inking pad, the inking stamp, and the means for supporting the same in proximity to the ink dispensing surface of the pad; and A Fig. 8 illustrates a modified form of the in-v vention as applied to the wrist.

The inking pad illustrated comprises a suitable receptacle or casing I, which, asillustrated, is of cylindrical form but may be of any desired shape or size, having a chamber 2 in which is mounted a suitable liquid retaining and dispensing pad -3. The pad preferably is of sponge rubber but may be of any suitable character which provides a liquid distributing or dispensing surface. In the inking pad construction illustrated the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the receptacle extends well above the surface of the liquid retaining and dispensing member and protects the surface from inadvertent contact with the desk or materials thereon, even if the device is tilted or upset.

The means for supporting the inking padpreferably comprises a flat rigid strap 5 of suitable material which is secured to the base 6 of the receptacle in any suitable manner as `by a rivet or stud 'I which extends through the center of the pad through a washer 8` and is provided with an upset end 9 serving irmly to secure the parts together and prevent leakage of the liquid.

The strap 5 is formed of oppositely extending legs I and II which curve downwardly, then outwardly and desirably upwardly at their ends to provide flat feet I2 and I3 adapted to rest upon a suitable base I4 to support the device in upright position when not in use. The strap desirably is made of nat stiff but pliable material so that the legs thereof can be bent to conform to the fingers of the particular operator who uses it.

Preferably the pad is mounted upon the first joint section of the second or longest nger I5 and the leg II extends downwardly between the nger I5 and the nger I6 and beneath the latter. The leg I0 similarly extends downwardly between the second nger I5 and the third finger I1 and beneath the latter, as illustrated in Fig. 2. By then depressing the rst and third fingers relatively to the second finger the pad is firmly held in upright position upon the back of the vsecond finger. By thus supporting the pad upon the first joint of the second nger free manipulation of all the fingers is permitted.

Of course the pad may also be supported upon the plantar joint of the third nger if desired.

The invention when embodied in a moistening pad is of substantially the same construction except that the liquid retaining and moistening member or pad I8 desirably extends above the edge of the surrounding wall 4 so that the full dispensing surface of the pad can be presented when used to moisten stamps, envelope flaps, or other devices having an adhesive surface or can be more readily touched by the fingers of the other hand in manipulating bills, papers, etc., it being noted that where a moistening pad is used in this manner the fingers of the hand upon which the liquid retaining and dispensing device is mounted can be freely manipulated to hold the bills, papers, or any other articles without interference with the use of the moistening device.

It sometimes is convenient to have the mc-istening device onvthe inside of the hand instead of on the back and the construction is such that by a mere reversal of the device the casing may be supported upon the inside of the first joint section of the second or other intermediate finger with the legs extending over the backs of the adjacent fingers, as shown in Fig. 4, in which case the thumb of the hand can be readily pressed upon the liquid dispensing surface.

It will be apparent that by reason of the present construction the inking pad will be held iirmly by engagement of the legs of the strap with an intermediate finger and the next adjacent fingers, but it will also be noted that the ends of the legs I0 and II are in the form of flat feet I2 and I 3 which may be placed upon a desk or other suitable flat support more rigidly to hold the device in upright position and also to relieve the strain upon the fingers which otherwise would be required to hold the device in proper position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inking pad with means for detachably supporting the inking stamp in such manner that it can be easily removed and used and replaced, thereby avoiding the necessity of laying the stamp down with the attendant possibility of smearing papers and which will also insure the stamp and pad being together when they are to be used.

A preferred construction which is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 'l comprises a wire clamping device having legs I9 and 20 which are mounted in suitable bores or sockets in the base 6 of the pad and have sections extending vertically upwardly therefrom and then preferably provided with curved portions 2| and 22 which extend horizontally over the inking pad and are connected by an integral open loop 23 adapted resiliently to embrace the handle 24 of an inking stamp 25 of a usual character, the loop member 23 desirably being located at such distance from the dispensing face of the pad that the face of the stamp will be held in close proximity to or if desirable in contact with said ink dispensing surface.

By reason of the diametrical position of the strap 5 relatively to the receptable the device may be applied to the hand with the open portion of the loop of the stamp supporting member toward the end of the fingers or toward the back of the hand as may be most convenient to the operator.

The loop portion desirably is in axial alinement with the receptacle so that when the device is placed upon a desk it will remain upright notwithstanding the weight of the stamp.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 8 in which the strap 5 is so formed that the legs I0 and II thereof embrace the wrist of the operator and differs therefrom in that the ends desirably are curved into circular form to provide feet 25 and 2I adapted to rest upon the suitable base I4. The receptacle 4 employed in this construction may be of any desirable shape or size and may be equipped with an inking pad having its ink dispensing surface below the plane oi the upper edge of the Wall of the receptacle, as illustrated in Fig. 3, or if used for a moistening device the dispensing surface of the liquid retaining device may extend Well above the upper edge of the wall, as heretofore described.

By reason of the present construction a liquid retaining and dispensing device is provided which can be easily carried upon the hand and will be of convenient access at all times notwithstanding the movement of the operator from one place to another.

When used as an inking pad by an operator who, for example, is checking time cards, the hand is sufliciently free to enable him to shuille or rearrange the cards and the ink pad is always handy for use, whereas in many instances there would be no convenient place for him to put the inking pad.

The receptacle and pad may be made'of any suitable light materials and its construction is such that when held iirmly by the hand it will not have a tendency to revolve or otherwise change its position when pressure is applied to it by the stamp.

When not in use it will be properly supported upon its legs and in any event will not tip over in such manner as to cause the ink distributing surface to contact with and smear other articles.

it will be understood that the particular embodiment of the invention shown and described herein' is of an illustrative character and is not restrictive and that various changes in form, construction and arrangement of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of the following claims. I

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

l. A liquid retaining and dispensing device adapted to be worn upon the hand comprising a rigid receptacle, containing a liquid Vabsorbent material and presenting a liquid dispensing surface, having a baseadapted to be mounted upon an intermediate finger of the hand, rigid retaining members extending oppositelytherefrom between and partially around and effectively engaging fingers respectively adjacent to said intermediate nger.

2. A liquid retaining and dispensing device adapted to be worn-upon the hand comprising a rigid receptacle, containing a liquid absorbent material and presenting a liquid dispensing surface, having a base adapted to be mounted upon an intermediate finger of the hand and rigid at retaining members of bendable material connected to said receptacle extending in opposite directions therefrom between said intermediate nger and the respective-iingers next adjacent thereto and effectively engaging the next adjacent fingers.

3. An inking pad adapted to be worn upon the hand comprising a rigid receptacle containing an ink absorbent material and presenting an ink dispensing surface, having a base having a flat strap secured thereto adapted to rest upon the back of the first joint member of an intermediate finger of the hand provided with reversely bent legs extending downwardly from diametrically opposite sides of said receptacle between said intermediate nnger and the respective adjacent fingers and thence outwardly beneath said respective adjacent iingers.

4. An inking pad adapted to be worn upon the hand comprising a rigid receptacle containing an ink absorbent material and presenting an ink dispensing surface, having a base having a flat strap secured thereto, adapted to rest upon the back of the iirst joint member of the second nger, provided with reversely bent legs extending downwardly from diametrically opposite sides of said receptacle between the second nger and the respective adjacent fingers and beyond the adjacent ngers sufciently to be engaged and further supported by the thumb and little finger.

5. An inking pad adapted to be worn upon the hand lcomprising a rigid receptacle, containing an ink absorbent material presenting a liquid dispensing surface and having a base having a flat strap secured thereto, adapted to rest upeli and be supported by the back of the hand, provided with reversely curved at legs extending downwardly from diametrically opposite portions thereto substantially equal distances and thence outwardly to form feet adaptedto support said receptacle when in use and which will also support it in upright position when removed from the hand.

6. An inking pad comprising a rigid receptacle containing an ink absorbent material presenting a substantially flat liquid dispensing surface, means for supporting said receptacle upon the hand and resilient means mounted on said receptacle having means to engage the stamp and hold the face thereof in proximity to said ink dispensing surface.

7. An inking pad comprising a rigid receptacle containing an ink absorbent material presenting a substantially flat liquid dispensing surface, means for supporting said receptacle upon the hand and a resilient wire having its ends mounted in the walls of said receptacle provided with an intermediate open loop overlying and spaced from the liquid dispensing surface of said pad adapted detachably to engage the handle portion of a stamp and hold the face of the stamp in proximity to said ink dispensing surface.

8. An inliing pad adapted to be worn upon the hand comprising a rigid receptacle, an ink retaining and dispensing pad mounted therein with the ink dispensing surface well below the plane of the upper edge of the receptacle, a flat strap secured to the base and extending diametrically in opposite directions therefrom having downwardly exending curved legs to embrace a member of the hand or the wrist and position said receptacle upon the back thereof and provided with reversely bent feet having a sufficiently wide surface to retain the device in upright position when resting upon a flat support.

9. A moistening pad adapted to be worn upon the hand comprising a rigid receptacle, a liquid retaining and dispensing pad mounted therein with the liquid dispensing surface well above the plane of the upper edge of the receptacle, a at strap secured to the base and extending diametrically therefrom having downwardly extending curved legs to embrace a member of the hand or the wrist and to retain the liquid dispensing device upon the back thereof and provided with cylindrically curved feet adapted to rest upon a supporting surface in such manner as to aid in holding the device rigid in upright position when in use and also to retain the device in upright position when removed from the hand.

10. A material retaining and dispensing device adapted to be worn upon the hand, comprising a receptacle forming a reservoir for the material and containing a pad of porous material presenting a substantially flat dispensing surface, a at retaining member secured to said receptacle adapted to be mounted centrally upon an intermediate nger and extending in diametrically opposite directions and having reversely bent legs adapted respectively to extend between the intermediate nger of the hand and the fingers next adjacent thereto and to engage opposite sides of said adjacent fingers thereby to enable said adjacent fingers to clamp the device rmly upon said intermediate finger in upright relation thereto.

11. A material retaining and dispensing device adapted to be Worn upon the hand, comprising a receptacle forming a reservoir for the material and containing a pad of' porous material presenting a substantially nat dispensing surface, a flat retaining member secured to said receptacle adapted to be mounted centrally upon an intermediate finger and extending in diametrically opposite directions and having reversely bent legs adapted respectively to extend between the intermediate finger of the hand and the fingers next adjacent thereto and to engage opposite sides of said adjacent ngers thereby to enable said adjacent fingers to clamp the device firmly upon said intermediate finger in upright relation thereto, the ends of said legs having foot portions to engage a suitable support to aid in holding the device in upright position during use and also to retain the device in upright position when removed from the hand.

CARL C. HARRIS. 

